I’ll never forget the day I learned the importance of teamwork—flat on my back, staring up at the gym ceiling, breathless and dazed. It was middle school, and I was a cheerleader. We were posing for the yearbook, carefully balanced at the top of a human pyramid. Everyone was in place, the camera flashed, and then—suddenly—everyone collapsed in their own direction. No one had talked about what came next. No one communicated. I ended up on the floor, wind knocked out of me, more scared and disoriented than hurt.
Looking back, I realize how much that moment mirrors the journey many of us take as leaders in Fresh Expressions (FX). We work so hard to get things “just right,” but when the moment comes to move forward, we can find ourselves alone, breathless, and unsure of the next step—simply because we didn’t move together.
Fresh Expressions Was Never Meant to Be a Solo Sport
When I started the FX Journey, I thought I had to be the one with all the answers. The strategist. The visionary. I thought it was up to me to chart the course, carry the weight, and make it work.
I soon discovered that the most powerful moments of breakthrough didn’t come when I pushed harder, but when I paused to listen—really listen—to the team around me. Fellow travelers. Co-dreamers. People who could see things I couldn’t, and hear God in ways I hadn’t considered.
This is what changes the game: realizing you don’t have to do it alone. You were never supposed to.
The Hidden Isolation of Ministry Leadership
Even with good intentions, leaders often end up walking alone. You may recognize the signs:
- Decision fatigue. You’re trying to be collaborative, but when things go sideways, the blame still lands on your shoulders.
- Emotional weight. As attendance dips or momentum stalls, you feel like you’re carrying everyone’s anxiety—trying to fix what feels unfixable.
- Vision resistance. You’re casting a compelling vision for a new expression of church… but it feels like no one else can see it yet.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. And it’s not how Fresh Expressions are meant to grow.
From Isolation to Innovation: How to Thrive as a Missional Leader
So what can you do when leadership feels lonely, or when the weight of starting something new threatens to burn you out?
Here are seven ways to shift from solo striving to shared strength as you live out the Fresh Expressions journey:
- Start with What You Have, Not What You Lack
Cultivate a habit of asset-based thinking. Instead of focusing on what’s missing—money, people, programs—start asking: What gifts, passions, and relationships are already here? What is God already doing? - Ask the Right Questions—Together
Move from “How do I fix this?” to “What is God inviting us into?” This simple shift opens space for communal discernment and Spirit-led collaboration. - Normalize Vulnerability in Leadership
Real leaders don’t pretend to have it all together. Share your questions, your struggles, even your “failures-in-progress.” This builds trust, models courage, and fosters authentic team culture. - Experiment and Iterate
Don’t wait to have the perfect plan. Try small, low-risk experiments. Let your community see you trying. Invite others to imagine, tweak, and join in. - Host Mission Labs and Micro-Initiatives
Create short-term spaces to test ideas, gather feedback, and discern God’s activity together. Think of these as “pop-up churches” or “spiritual prototypes” where curiosity and community lead the way. - Huddle with Other Leaders
Join or start a regular FX leader huddle—a small circle of companions committed to mutual encouragement, practical support, spiritual reflection, and shared learning. - Connect with the Wider FX Movement
You’re not alone. Across the country (and beyond), there are teams dreaming, experimenting, and praying just like you. Get connected with other FX leaders to share stories, spark new ideas, and form friendships that sustain the journey.
Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely. It can be creative, collaborative, and deeply life-giving—when we choose to walk the journey together.
Looking for that Huddle or Connecting Point for your Team? Check out the FX Team Cultivator
The FX Team Cultivator is a space designed for exactly this kind of shared journey. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been leading for years, the Cultivator brings together FX teams from all stages and contexts. Here’s what makes it so valuable:
- Shared Learning: Learn from others who are navigating the same challenges and opportunities.
- Brainstorming: Get fresh ideas and creative solutions from outside your immediate context.
- Spiritual Discernment: Listen together for the Spirit’s leading, so you’re not just following your own instincts.
- Mutual Encouragement: Find encouragement in the stories, struggles, and breakthroughs of others.
- Multiplication and Maturity: Grow stronger as a team, and help multiply and mature expressions of the church in your context.
Ready to find your people and cultivate the future of church together?
Join the FX Team Cultivator. Let’s do this…together.
